June 20, 2013
Need to address market failure
Labour’s regional development spokesperson says if the Government is prepared to subsidise farmers and casino operators, it should do more for struggling manufacturers.
The Government has dismissed an inquiry into manufacturing.
Labour, the Greens, New Zealand First and Mana which recommended steps to bring down the New Zealand dollar and help the sector grow.
Shane Jones says National doesn’t care about the manufacturers who are closing their doors, but it is prepared to lavish public money on its friends.
"It's decided to subsidise the provision of water for agribusiness. It's decided to underwrite the cost of water reservoirs, storing water so that farmers can increase their production. So if they are prepared to subsidise that part of industry, they have got to look at all fairness in how they can take a more positive role in manufacturing, because we will as Labour," he says.
Mr Jones says most of the manufacturing companies that employ large numbers of Māori and Pacific workers are too small to interest John Key or Steven Joyce, who have made it clear their friends are at the big end of town.
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